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Change in neurocognitive function by the Pediatric Quality of Life (PedQL) battery, Full Scale Intelligence Quotient (FSIQ) score [ Time Frame: From baseline to up to 24 months ]

Vocabulary and Block Design, subtests of the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI-III), Wechsler Children Intelligence Scale (WISC-IV) and Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS-III) (based on age) will be used to estimate FSIQ, using the tables provided by Sattler.

Polymorphisms as predictors of neurocognitive dysfunction or acute neurotoxicity [ Time Frame: Up to 24 months ]

This clinical trial is looking at brain function in young patients receiving methotrexate for acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Learning about the long-term effects of methotrexate on brain function may help doctors plan cancer treatment.

Detailed Description

OBJECTIVES:

I. Determine the neuropsychological function in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia treated with either high-dose methotrexate or escalating-dose methotrexate in the absence of cranial radiation and nelarabine.

II. Identify host polymorphisms that predict an increased risk of neurocognitive dysfunction or acute neurotoxicity in these patients.

III. Correlate neuropsychological outcome measures and the occurrence of acute neurotoxicity with host polymorphisms in these patients.

IV. Measure concentrations of 5-methyltetrahydrofolate, homocysteine, Ado, S-adenosylmethionine, S-adenosylhomocysteine, and other potentially relevant compounds in serum and cerebrospinal fluid during interim maintenance therapy with low- or high-dose methotrexate regimens, respectively, and correlate these endpoints with the occurrence of acute neurologic toxicity and long-term neurocognitive dysfunction in these patients.

V. Determine whether or not diffusion tensor imaging will identify areas of selective vulnerability in CNS and provide an imaging modality that predicts and/or correlates with neuropsychological outcome.

OUTLINE: This is a prospective, cohort, multicenter study.

Patients complete neurocognitive tests to assess thinking, memory, attention, and concentration. The baseline test is administered during the consolidation phase of chemotherapy and further tests are done at 1 year from baseline and 1 year after* the completion of study therapy.

Patients complete neurocognitive tests to assess thinking, memory, attention, and concentration. The baseline test is administered during the consolidation phase of chemotherapy and further tests are done at 1 year from baseline and 1 year after* the completion of study therapy.